Inspection System Wins Innovation Award at Fastener Fair Stuttgart
FEATURE
Receiving Fastener+Fixings Route to Fastener Innovation Awards were (left-to-right): Michael Wilkinson of UK-based Tite-Fix Ltd., third; Scott Corrunker, vice president of Mectron High Speed Inspection Systems of the U.S., first; and Harald Göttlich of Germany-based UIP Systems, second.
An inspection system which replaces manual gauging and recording won first place for innovative technology at Fastener Fair Stuttgart.
Mectron High Speed Inspection Systems won the Fastener+Fixings “Route to Fastener Innovation Award” for its Mectron First Scan 150R.
A total of 17 exhibitors at Fastener Fair Stuttgart competed. A “route planner” guided trade show visitors to exhibits of nominated products ranging from advances in fastener manufacturing and inspection technology through to developments in sheet metal fasteners and structural timber connectors.
Mectron’s winning product is a first article inspection system, which eliminates manual gauging and recording. First Scan 150R is a non-contact fully automatic precision measuring system designed for cylindrical components.
Mectron is based in Saline, Michigan and it is the first time a U.S. company has won the award. Web: mectron.net
• Second prize went UIP Systems of Wedemark, Germany, for the U-bolt, a self-cutting undercut anchor with a female internal thread support. The U-bolt achieves a guaranteed undercut anchorage even in shallow embedment of 30mm. Web: uip-systems.com
• UK-based Tite-Fix Limited took third prize with its Clad-Tite Auto described as “fast, efficient, powered method of fixing cladding that is cladding that is removable without damage to the timber.” Web: tite-fix.co.uk
Fastener+Fixing editor Phil Matten noted that it is the first time in the eight-years of Innovation Awards that a manufacturing technology product won the award.
Judges comments on the Mectron inspection system included: “The capability is impressive, especially the ability to work in two axes. The analysis and data capture also seem comprehensive and user friendly,” and “ISIR approval is sometimes a contentious issue so equipment that will ensure that the first production samples are as specified will help save time and the expense of further submission of parts.”
Of the second-place U-bolt, a judge wrote: “No one else has done anything quite like it and it provides an internally threaded socket ready for use. The U-bolt deserves a rosette.”
Judges noted there are similar products to third place winner, but the Clad-Tite’s greater pull-out retention compared with a standard powered nail allied to the ability to dismantle wood based applications without destroying them earned its award.
Judging was by a panel of anonymous technical specialists and retirees from the industry with no commercial links and no opportunities for canvassing.
“We firmly believe the development of new products, which deliver genuine benefits to fastener users, is the life blood of the industry and the route to competitiveness and profitability,” Matten said. ©2011 GlobalFastenerNews.com
Previous Innovation winners:
2005: 1st Giehl Systems GmbH; 2nd Tite-Fix Ltd.; 3rd Rivit Srl
2007: 1st Tite-Fix Ltd; 2nd E.U.R.O Tec GmbH; 3rd Rapierstar Ltd
2009: 1st E.U.R.O Tec GmbH; 2nd Tite-Fix Ltd.; 3rd Ferodom s.r.o
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